Integrated Preaching for Transformation

Imagine a Doctor of Ministry program that propels you to strengthen your ministry and impact the church.

Scroll down to discover more about this distinctive program or fill out the form to connect directly with a member of our admissions team.

What is a Doctor of Ministry?

The Doctor of Ministry program equips participants to develop their ministerial knowledge and skills, preparing them for meaningful service in congregational, parachurch, and missionary contexts.

This program helps students integrate practical ministry, academic learning, and thoughtful reflection within a supportive community of peers. Unlike an academic or research degree, it is designed for pastors and ministry leaders who want to grow in their calling and serve the unique needs of their communities with greater depth and effectiveness.

Under the guidance of a dedicated mentor, each cohort engages in a carefully structured curriculum centered on their chosen area of study.

Each three-year cohort focuses on timely and relevant themes, with new cohorts introduced each year.

Through collaboration with fellow students and faculty, you’ll have the flexibility to shape your learning in ways that are meaningful and relevant to your unique ministry context.

About This Cohort

In the last few years, a growing number of resources have exposed the dangers of emotional unhealth among church leaders.

In many instances, gifted preachers are given a pass on character issues and power abuses because of their preaching skills. An integrated approach to preaching, however, argues that unhealthy leaders will preach unhealthy sermons and that, in time, unresolved personal and spiritual issues in the preacher will emerge in the preacher’s tone, posture, and relationships.

The goal of a Holistic Preaching (Or Integrated Preaching) DMin model is to help students understand that all preaching is ultimately embodied in the preacher and, as such, the well-being and flourishing of the preacher is critical for compelling preaching. Content on emotionally healthy preaching, family history, creativity, soul care, self-awareness (Enneagram), positive accountability, and encouragement networks will all be relevant to the coursework. Final projects may include a preaching “rule of life” or a preaching series that is born out of the cohort experience.

Ezekiel 24:24 ‘Ezekiel will be a sign to you; you will do just as he has done. When this happens, you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.’

Download Learning Sequence

Get to Know Cohort Mentor Rev. Dr. Steve Norman

Steve Norman is a speaker, author, and coach who loves to help individuals, couples, and families take the next step in understanding their identity, strengths, and calling.

Steve is a gifted speaker who has spent the last 25 years serving local churches in the Detroit and Grand Rapids areas as a church planter, teaching pastor, and lead pastor. He has a weekly devotional podcast, The New Norm with Steve Norman, where he shares brief insights on faith, leadership, and culture. He also created and hosted the Bad Soccer Dad Podcast, a resource he designed to help parents and kids explore the intersection of faith, character, and the wild world of youth sports.

As an award-winning author, Steve has written articles for Christianity Today, Preaching Today, and the Covenant Companion. He is also the author of the book, The Preacher as Sermon: How Who You Are Shapes What They Hear.

He holds a Doctorate of Intercultural Studies from Fuller Seminary and is passionate about helping individuals, families, churches, and businesses take the next step in their growth and development.

Steve and his wife, Kelly, have been married for twenty-four years and reside in West Michigan with their son, three daughters, and their Bernedoodle, Chewie.

Important Dates

Apply by April 1, 2026

The application and all supplemental material must be submitted by the due date.

The Doctor of Ministry application includes:

Three recommendation forms
One letter of ecclesial endorsement
Two personal statements
One academic writing sample
Official Transcripts from previous educational institutions

Confirm by June 1, 2026

Accepted students are required to confirm their program participation and pay the deposit fee by the deadline.

Applicants will receive written and email notifications of their acceptance status in May.

If you have questions about your application, contact our admissions team at admissions@westernsem.edu.

Seminar Schedule

Seminars are scheduled in March and September of each year until graduation in April 2029.

Cohort Launch and 1st Seminar: September 21-25, 2026, at Western Theological Seminary

2nd Seminar: March 1-5, 2027, at Western Theological Seminary

What was helpful early on was the sense of community and family that this cohort was to one another...That sense of being loved right where you were, especially as I was wrestling with all sorts of feelings that I didn’t measure up as a church planter and pastor.

- Pastor Mike Gorr

Doctor of Ministry, Class of 2021

Ready to take the next step?

Start your application today.

Apply Now

Western Theological Seminary

101 East 13th Street
Holland MI, 49423

admissions@westernsem.edu

800.392.8554